Characteristics of Ancient India
Developed Cities
The birthplace of Indus was along a river which flooded and left fertil silt. Spring, floods made farming possible. Valley civilization was called Harappan, named after the ancient city of Harappa. India was very famous for their brick buildings. They would brild them so that when the wind would blow it would hit the house and cool it down because it was so hot. They were also famous for there sewer system.
Organized Govvernment
The most usual government for Ancient India was a monarchy. A monarchy is a government which places power upon an individual for birth rights. Such as Queen Victoria or King Henry or Louis.In ancient Indian government, one finds the different elements of modern government also. This means that the foundation of the modern day government was laid during the ancient times itself. The ancient Indian government had three major components in the hierarchy. They were: Legislative, Executive and the Judiciary. The chief head of the three departments was the King. Effective judiciary made sure that crime was under control and the offenders got the apt punishments for their crimes.
Formalized Religion
Hinduism, Buddhism, and Islam. Buddhism began in India and spread to other places in Asia. Islam came into India from West Asia. The origins of Hinduism are less
clear, but are certainly related to the arrival of the Indo-European Aryans from West Asia.
Special Classes
In ancient India, society was divided into four parts (varnas): brahmins, kshatriyas, vaisyas, and sudras. The Rajputs eventually came to occupy the place in society of the kshatriyas. In that ancient era, this system was very fluid and flexible. Ibbetson writes in his book, "In the earlier Hinduism we find that, while caste distinctions were primarily based upon occupation, considerable license in this respect was
permitted to the several castes, while the possibility of the individual rising [or falling] from one caste to another was distinctly recognized." However, this basic Indian classification would eventually be expanded and intolerably abused. Different levels of status came to be associated with each caste, and changing one's status in life became virtually impossible.
permitted to the several castes, while the possibility of the individual rising [or falling] from one caste to another was distinctly recognized." However, this basic Indian classification would eventually be expanded and intolerably abused. Different levels of status came to be associated with each caste, and changing one's status in life became virtually impossible.
Specialization of Labor
For tens of thousands of years, mankind survived by doing whatever they could to find food and shelter
for themselves and their families. A clan of individuals had to do all the tasks necessary for life, including hunting, dressing kills, gathering, making tools, and making shelters.For tens of thousands of years, ankind survived by doing whatever they could to find food and shelter for themselves and their families. A clan of individuals had to do all the tasks necessary for life, including hunting, dressing kills, gathering, making tools, and making shelters. As societies became larger and more complex, individuals began to specialize in different types of jobs. It was no longer necessary for one individual to learn how to do every kind of work. Instead, one person could specialize in making pottery, while another could specialize in weaving cloth.
for themselves and their families. A clan of individuals had to do all the tasks necessary for life, including hunting, dressing kills, gathering, making tools, and making shelters.For tens of thousands of years, ankind survived by doing whatever they could to find food and shelter for themselves and their families. A clan of individuals had to do all the tasks necessary for life, including hunting, dressing kills, gathering, making tools, and making shelters. As societies became larger and more complex, individuals began to specialize in different types of jobs. It was no longer necessary for one individual to learn how to do every kind of work. Instead, one person could specialize in making pottery, while another could specialize in weaving cloth.
Record Keeping/ Writing
Over time, people living in India have used many different writing systems. These systems were generally developed record down different types of information as the need arose. The first Indian script, developed in the Indus Valley around 2600 B.C. is still undeciphered. Thus, it is still not possible to fully understand this civilization, as we have no readable records of their beliefs, history, rulers or literature. Later Indian scripts, like Brahmi and Kharosthi were developed to write both official and local languages. Great epics ,royal inscriptions, religious texts and administrative documents were all written using these scripts. Through these sources we are able to learn about the literature, mythology, history and beliefs of ancient India.